ANDY Cole is set to be handed his home debut against Southampton tomorrow.

But the striker will be closely assessed right up to kick-off, revealed manager Steve Bruce.

"Andy is training and we are hoping that there will be no reaction to his hamstring injury," said the Blues boss. "We brought Andy in for a reason, and all being well he will be able to take part. We will see how he is.

"It's a big ask for anybody to come in after not having training much, even if it is Andy Cole. We had an international break too before he got here. So there's a decision to make."

Blues have recorded two successive blanks for the first time this season and, the Coventry City game aside, have netted just nine times in 14 Championship outings.

"We have to be more clinical and stats tell you that, from the top end of the pitch, our return hasn't been good enough," said Bruce. "It's always very difficult to rely on the back four to continually keep clean sheets. They need something to hold on to."

Winger Sebastian Larsson, who was taken ill just before the Barnsley game, is not 100 per cent right, but will be available for selection.